Martinsburg daily gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1887-1887, 1887-03-26
GIVING SATISFACTION.
THE PERSONNEL or THE INTER-
STATE COMMERCE COMMISSION.

Made Out and Signed by the President
Radical Questions in the Law.
WASHINGTON, March 24.-The personnel Of
the interstate commerce commission is
the chief topic Of conversation here and as
general thing the composition OF the commits
sion seems to give satisfaction. The high
character, competence and fitness Of the FIVE
gentlemen for the work before them, Is gem
orally admitted, and Is considered ample
compensation for the long delay in appoint
ing them. and the president is freely credited
with having brought one Of the most difficult
tasks he has yet encountered to very graft
flying and successful conclusion.
The Critic Iii this connection, while com
menting editorially on the composition of
the commission, doubtless reflects the opinion
OF fair minded men Of all parties in saying:
1.-THE present has done wisely, as matter Of
self-defensd. in selecting commissioners on
the basis Of merit, and thus relieving himself
of responsibility in greater degree than he
could have done by appointments based in
greater degree upon political or personal con-
siderations.
The organization of the commission is the
next thing looked for. The commissions of
the members were signed by the president,
and were ready tc be sent to them, and it Is
expected they win meet in Washington in
few days and orga ize and get ready for the
delicate and difficI duties before them, and
which will begin on the 18th OF next month,
the date which the interstate law goes into
effect
Four of the commissions are at their homes
and will require some time to close up their
present business affairs. Col. Morrison, who
is in Washington, desires to return to his
home and settle up some personal matters
The delay on the part of the commissions in
getting together and organizing is not as
serious as the delay, which it is feared will
grow out of the selection OF quarters and
clerks, and the perform lnc4 of vast amount
OF correspondence befoec the co n n s;ion can
take intelligent action on any OF the prob
lems that are sure to be thrust upol it. The
gravest and most fundamental questions
have arisen under the new law, and upon
these it is Of the utmost Importance that the
comniiss on should clearly define its position
before proceeding with its work. Two mem
members of the commission. at least, have
probably as yet given very little attention to
these questions.
The questions referred to are of the most
radical character. In the Erst place, it is
disputed whether the law applies to ship
nlents made from one point to another within
state. or only to those from one state to
another.
The construction OF the clause under like
circumstances and conditions" the clause in
reference to long and short hauls, AMI other
phrases used in the act, and provisions made
by it, are so yariously construed by colstitu-
tionai lawyers, that one construction would
reduce the effects of tho new law to the most
important character, while another would
lead to a complete reversal of commercial
conditions and transportation methods, and
affect every branch Of trade All every inter-
est throughout the United States.
While it is generally believed that the
commissioners so constituted as to secure
conservative ruling on these questions, it is
conceded that many points of vast inn
portance are in doubt. he bill appropriatas
100000 for all the expenses Of the co.amis-
sion for the first year of its existence, while
other expenses incidental to it are to be met
out of other appropriations for the interior
department and the courts. The salaries of
five commissioners at 81, 800 each, and Of the
secretary, az IS 500, and other stipulated ex-
penses. leaves about Sc, 600 to be expended
for assistance clerical serviees@setay This
represents large clerical and official force
to be appointed in such manner, at such rates
and for such duties as the commission sees
fit, but subject in every case to the approval
of the secretary Of the interior. A large and
important bureau will undoubtedly be rap
idly organized. Information has been re-
ceived that thousands of communications,
queries, complaints, etc, are ready to pour
in upon the commission whenever it is ready
to receive them. A gentleman well qualified
to speak recently told the president that
house full of such documents was ready
for mailing as soon as the commission. was
organized